‘The Americans,’ Season 2, Episode 5, ‘The Deal’: TV Recap

By

Cicely K. Dyson

Mar 26, 2014 11:16 pm ET

Philip and Elizabeth have had to make a lot of compromises to do their work as KGB agents on “The Americans.” They’ve had to uproot themselves from their home countries, sacrifice time with their children and remain at the beck and call of the Center to further Mother Russia’s mission.This episode picks up right where we left off last week.

Philip makes what could be his first friend outside of Beeman. It’s interesting to watch this character latch on to people who are supposed to be his enemies. He keeps Beeman around, partly with a “keep your friends close, enemies closer” mentality but also because he needs companionship outside of his marriage. This episode brought him face to face with another spy with a similar background. Under different circumstances, these guys would burrow into their man caves to watch games and drink beer.